In his book, Ojo-Ade's also addresses Du Bois's prediction that "the problem of the Twentieth Century is the problem of the color line." As an internationally renowned researcher, Ojo-Ade uses his own many travels—from Africa to Brazil, Britain, Canada, Cuba, France, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Puerto Rico, and the United States—to realistically assess the dilemma of being black in the world. He makes insightful and challenging observations, while asserting that black can only become beautiful again if blacks take a cue from the axiom proposed by the Brazilian writer-politician-activist, Abdias do Nascimento: "Only if I love myself may I truly love and interact with others [as human beings]."

Ojo-Ade's conclusions are rather disturbing because he does not mince words; yet, he sees room for hope, emanating from the blacks' resilience and constant struggle to re-affirm their humanity. This book is essential reading for those interested in understanding the complex experience of African peoples and for scholars of black literature and culture.

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